The top reported proficiency rate is 73% in English language arts. The lowest is 51% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Northwood Middle School
Northwood Middle School serves a mid-sized cohort of students across grades six through eight in Highland Park, an affluent North Shore community along Lake Michigan. The school sits in a residential neighborhood within North Shore School District 112, which has undertaken a major facilities renovation program following a bond approval in late 2022. Northwood itself completed its renovations as the first school in the district, bringing upgraded security, air systems, and modernized spaces into operation.
The student body reflects Highland Park's demographic composition. Hispanic students make up a substantial share of enrollment, alongside a large White student population and smaller Asian and multiracial groups. The school serves a mid-sized student population for its grade band, with each grade level enrolling roughly even numbers of students.
Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) results show a mixed academic picture. In English language arts, performance is notably stronger at the upper end. Eighth-grade students achieve proficiency at a rate well above half, while sixth graders also perform solidly. Seventh graders land a few percentage points lower but still comfortably above half. In mathematics, the pattern reverses. Sixth graders show better proficiency rates than seventh and eighth graders, whose proficiency falls closer to or below half. Science testing, available only for eighth grade, shows proficiency near three-fifths. Across all administered assessments, participation rates were complete or near-complete.
On the comparison fact-set relative to districts in Lake County, Northwood's overall proficiency index—averaging across tested subjects and grades—places it above the midpoint among the county's schools. This positions the school in the stronger half of the academic range for its regional peer set, though without reaching the highest tier.
Testing data alone does not capture the full operational picture. The district just completed facility renovations at Northwood, so the school now operates with current infrastructure. What is not available in the data are attendance rates, detailed special-education and English-learner enrollment figures, discipline records, course offerings, staffing details, or a graduation rate, which does not apply to a middle school. Parents may want to explore these dimensions directly with the school.
The broader district context carries weight for families considering Northwood. The 2022 bond will increase property taxes modestly over time as schools are rebuilt. More significantly, the district voted in June 2025 to close Red Oak Elementary and consolidate its dual-language program into Oak Terrace starting in the 2027-28 school year, a decision driven by declining enrollment in bilingual offerings. Families with younger children or those considering multilingual pathways should weigh this consolidation when evaluating the district's long-term program structure.
Highland Park itself is undergoing residential expansion near downtown, with major housing projects announced for 2026 and beyond. The downtown core sits steps from the Metra station and library, while schools occupy separate residential campuses. The housing market is active and appreciated over the past year, with median home values well above state averages. Rents also reflect the affluent character of the community. The affordability profile suggests this is a high-cost housing market suitable for families with substantial resources.
Northwood fits families seeking a renovated middle school with solid English language arts results, a demographically mixed student body, and proximity to an established North Shore suburb with strong civic anchors and ongoing development. The mathematics performance trend downward across grades warrants discussion with school staff about curriculum and support. The combination of newly upgraded facilities and above-midpoint regional academic standing makes it a reasonable choice for this area, though the specific fit depends on individual student needs and family priorities around program depth, which the available data do not address.
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